Frequently Asked Questions
What is Listening Mothers?
The aim of the class is to help parents develop skills to enhance their ability to understand and build stronger relationships with their children. Listening Mothers aims to build confidence by expanding their understanding of the meaning of their children’s behavior. This understanding helps parents better regulate their own and their child’s emotions with the intention to become less reactive and more reflective. Parents who are able to regain a state of calm are more engaged, more effective, and therefore feel empowered and successful.
What is the difference between PEPS and Listening Mothers?
PEPS is a great support group for moms (and dads) that meets at participants homes and is run by volunteers who encourage peer support and sharing of ideas as well as discussion of relevant and often planned topics. Listening Mothers classes are run by trained professionals including nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and doulas and more, who specifically trained in infant social emotional development. The groups are small being no more than 7 moms and their babies in a group to allow for exchange, focus, discovery and growth. Listening Mothers is a curriculum based on years of research focusing on topics that strengthen the mother-baby bond through discussion and reflection.
Where do classes meet?
Currently we are hosting the classes online. We hope to hold classes in-person again in the near future. We meet at a number of different locations in and around the Greater Seattle Area and around the country. To see our current schedule, click Listening Mothers™.
When do I start the program?
Listening Mothers™ is for mothers with babies birth – to 6 months. There is no minimum age you and your baby can join a group, but we ask that babies be no more than 6 months old.
Our Finding Calm class is intended for parents and caregivers of children ages 6 months to 6 years old.
How many participants will be in the class?
Class sizes vary, but we prefer between 5-8 people per class. We encourage mothers to bring their babies (newborn to 6 months) to our Listening Mothers™ class.
Who attends the class?
Listening Mothers™ is currently geared toward mothers and their babies.
Our Finding Calm program is intended for parents and caregivers of children ages 6 months to 6 years old.
Can I bring my baby to class?
Our Listening Mothers™ program is intended for mothers and their babies. We encourage you to bring your baby!
Do you provide childcare for my older child?
Please inquire with your facilitator directly, this is sometimes an option.
Can I talk with someone about either program before I commit to join?
Absolutely! Please contact us using our Contact Page and someone will follow up with you shortly.
I have other children - can I still benefit from attending the Listening Mothers program?
Listening Mothers™ is for mothers with children birth – 6 months old. Listening Mothers offers a unique look into self, scientific insight into why we engage on the levels we do and how to cultivate healthy attachment with our new babies and families. There are several life long calming practice skills that are practiced. Every child adds a unique dynamic to a family. Parenting is a continual journey. Our classes are designed to broaden parents sense of mindfulness and to help with those transitions.
Finding Calm is an expanded version of our Listening Mothers program for moms (and dads!) of children 6 months to 6 years old.
See our Partner Programs for alternative age options.
What is the cost and time commitments of the classes?
Listening Mothers™ meets weekly for six weeks and are 1.5 hours long. The standard registration fee is $195.
We offer a sliding scale fee for our classes. You may choose the fee that feels most fitting. Our intention is to make our offerings more affordable to those with financial challenges and to allow those who are more fortunate in their financial circumstances an opportunity to practice generosity. Generally, the middle value on the sliding scale is the amount needed to fully cover the costs of your attending an offering.
There are 3 levels on our sliding scale fees:
- $235 Supporting Tuition: At this level (above the middle value on the sliding scale), your registration fees generally exceed the costs of your attending an offering and help to subsidize the reduced fees paid by others who have more challenging financial circumstances.
- $195 Our-Cost Tuition: At this level (the middle value on our sliding scale), your registration fees generally fully cover the costs of your attending an offering.
- $75 Subsidized Tuition: At this level (below the middle value on the sliding scale), your registration fees generally do not fully cover the costs of your attending an offering. If you select this level, your registration will be subsidized by others, either via the general donations people offer or through the additional fees paid by those selecting a Supporting Level fee.
In most cases there are also partial scholarships available for those in need. EAP credits for Microsoft employees are accepted. If you have questions, please send us a message using the Contact Us page.
Are scholarships available?
Yes. Partial scholarships available for those in need.
I'm not sure which group to join or where to find the nearest group to me.
Please see our Listening Mothers™ page for a list of current classes and facilitators. You can also email us [email protected], and we will be happy to assist you.
I know which class I would like to join. How do I register?
If you would like to join a Listening Mothers™ class fill out the registration form here. If you’re interested in a Finding Calm class fill out the registration form here. Someone will contact you with in a couple days to discuss your specific situation and confirm your enrollment.
What is the policy on vaccinations?
The Community of Mindful Parenting deeply values creating a safe space for mothers and babies to come together during their first six months to grow and learn. Because the babies who come to our Listening Mothers™ groups are most at risk for having serious complications from pertussis, Listening Mothers™ feels strongly that we need to create an environment of safety, especially for those babies who are still too young to be vaccinated themselves. Because of the Whooping Cough outbreak in WA state within the last couple of years, we have consulted with medical professionals (including pediatricians, obstetricians, midwives and naturopathic doctors) to determine the best policy for our Listening Mothers™ community, We are asking ALL moms who participate in our group to receive a pertussis booster vaccine if they have not had one in the past ten years and babies to receive the DTaP vaccine once they are old enough for the first dose. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please email us [email protected] so we can better understand your situation.